Meraki Unveils Industry's First Cloud-Managed Router

Meraki today announced the release of a networking first: cloud-managed routers.

Meraki today announced the release of a networking first: cloud-managed routers. In addition, details were released on a new pricing model for customers.

The Meraki MX series of cloud-managed routers feature cloud-based centralized management. Businesses can deploy these routers in a data center and manage their networks remotely via a Web browser without the need for deploying any local network monitoring solution. MX routers can be deployed in single, stand-along networks or in massively distributed networks with thousands of branches.

The MX series comes in two models: the MX50, designed for small infrastructures, and the MX70 for larger ones.

The MX50 and MX70 are offered in two editions: Enterprise, which provides cloud-based centralized management, routing, and application shaping; and an Advanced Security Edition, which, in addition to the above features, includes site-to-site VPN and next-generation firewall capabilities.

Other features include automatic detection and monitoring of printers and showing printer ink levels across remote offices.

Meraki has also created a new Networking as a Service pricing program, a new pay-as-you go pricing model for cloud-managed network infrastructures. Networking as a Service is available for all Meraki enterprise wired and wireless products, with wireless LANs starting at $25 per access point per month and branch routers from $35 per router per month. The subscription fee includes all hardware, software licenses, support, maintenance, and upgrades. Customers can trade in their hardware for an upgrade at any time, at no cost.

Under this new pricing model, customers obtain MX routers through an annual subscription, with no upfront hardware costs. MX routers start at $35 per month. This price includes hardware, software licenses, ongoing upgrades, maintenance, and support.

Samara Lynn has nearly twenty years experience in Information Technology; most recently as IT Director at a major New York City healthcare facility. She has a Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, several technology certifications, and she was a tech editor for the CRN Test Center.
With an extensive, hands-on background in deploying and managing Microsoft Windows infrastructures and networking, she was included in Black Enterprise's "20 Black Women in Tech You Need to Follow on Twitter," and received the 2013 Small Business Influencer Top 100 Champions...
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